Doc. 8466
13 July 1999

Consequences of the war in Yugoslavia for the region's environment

Motion for a resolution

presented by Mr Kurykin and others

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and only expresses the views of the members who have signed it

1.       Now that the military action against Yugoslavia has ended, the international community will have to assess the humanitarian and economic damage caused by the crisis. An exhaustive in-depth analysis is urgently needed.

2.       One consequence of the war is the serious damage caused to the environment in Yugoslavia and the neighbouring countries, which endangers the health of the region's populations.

3.       The industrial installations destroyed during the bombing campaign include many chemical and petrochemical plants and depots. Their destruction and the ensuing fires prompted the emission into the environment of combustion products containing some highly toxic substances such as dioxin.These emissions will probably result in acid rain which will affect other countries as well as the Balkans.

4.       Large amounts of oil products were discharged into the rivers, including the Danube, which will simply heighten the environmental imbalance of this major European river and adversely affect countries downstream such as Romania, Bulgaria and Ukraine. This will also have serious consequences for the Black Sea and Mediterranean basins.

5.       The military action against Yugoslavia included the extensive use of weapons containing depleted uranium. According to the International Green Cross, the fires caused by these weapons lead to the combustion of uranium, which turns into uranium oxide and can then be absorbed into the lungs and bronchial tubes.

6.       These consequences will inevitably affect the natural resources, health and living conditions of the populations of Yugoslavia and the neighbouring countries. These factors thus broaden the scope of the humanitarian problems arising from the crisis in Kosovo.

7.       The Assembly therefore considers that it is of the utmost importance to:

i.       conduct a study covering every aspect of the consequences of the war in Yugoslavia for the region's environment;

ii.       look into the humanitarian consequences of the damage caused to the environment and ways of providing humanitarian aid to remedy the damage.

Signed : ¹

Kurykin, Ukraine, NR

Akçali, Turkey, EDG

Davis, United Kingdom, SOC

Diana, Italy, EPP/CD

Duivesteijn, Netherlands, SOC

Gibula, Poland, SOC

Gregory, Ireland, SOC

Haraldsson, Iceland, LDR

Kalkan, Turkey, EDG

Mikaelsson, Sweden, UEL

Müller, Germany, UEL

Popescu, Ukraine, SOC

Prokes, Slovakia, NR

Prosser, United Kingdom, SOC

Sehnalova, Czech Republic, SOC

Solonari, Moldova, SOC

Steolea, Romania, EDG

Theis, Luxembourg, EPP/CD

Truu, Estonia, EDG

¹        SOC: Socialist Group

      EPP/CD: Group of the European People’s Party

      EDG: European Democratic Group

      LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers’ Group

      UEL: Group of the Unified European Left

      NR: not registered in a group